Virginia lawmakers are considering marijuana legislation after seeing the ordeal of one Haley Smith, a young girl who uses cannabis oil to treat debilitating seizures. While with her mom to lobby for legalization, Haley had a seizure at the Capitol in Richmond.
One bill being considered is one to legalize two medical cannabis strains that help patients suffering from epilepsy. The specific medicine, which is in fact an oil extract, is generally ingested by mouth through a syringe.
Another proposal would reduce the penalties for marijuana possession from a criminal charge to a $100 civil fine.
Commenting to local reporters, Haley’s mother Linda Smith explains:
“I think it opened their eyes to see it is real. There is nothing left for Haley to try – only a medical marijuana study.”
Other families from around Virginia joined the Smiths to lobby for the bill(s).